The 2010 Growing Dreams Gala is coming soon!

Click here for more information and to order your tickets.

Midtown Market - Tuesdays 3:30 - 7:30,  July - October  www.midtownfarmersmarket.org

Uptown Market - Sundays 11-5, June 20-September 26  www.uptownmarket.org

Northeast Market - Saturdays 9 - 1, June 5 - October 16  www.nemplsfarmersmarket.com

Jody Allen, President

Mona Patterson, Executive VP

Greg Hani, Executive VP

Matt Winston, President Elect

Rosemary Fish, Honorary

Ben Poehling, Treasurer

Kathy Cadmus, Secretary

John Kvamme

Anthony DiAngelis

Tami Horwitz

Wendy Canaday

Pat Rounds

Bill Goblirsch

Kevin Myers

Shilo Sorrell, Associate Rep.

Mona Patterson, Executive Vice President

Cindy Cunnien, Program Coordinator

Jona Williams, Program Coordinator

David Gray, Program Coordinator

Caitlin Wittnebel, Program Coordinator

Carlie LaBree, Program Coordinator

Sam Ofulue, Program Coordinator

Joan Klukken Keprios, Program Coordinator

eQuality was recently featured in a Fox 9 news story about Disability Awareness month at Lifetime Fitness.  Check out the article and video here to see our Associates and Job Coach in action at the Lifetime Fitness in Eden Prairie.

An eQuality work crew can fulfill the expectations and workload of one or more employees without incurring the additional costs of:

• Liability Insurance
• Benefits such as Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, 401K
• Payroll taxes and other administrative costs
• No overtime expenses

eQuality has many associates who work independently in a competitive environment, hired on directly through various places of employment. eQuality staff performs an assessment process with the associate, assists in the job search and resume building. We work to assure that the associate is ready for competitive employment and is qualified for the type of work that they are seeking. eQuality staff is a part of the original interview as well as the orientation and training process. We provide additional support by having open communication with the employer and we perform regular check-ins with the associate. While seeking employment for an individual that we feel is ready for competitive employment, eQuality works to assure that the placement is appropriate and is a benefit to everyone involved.
Employer benefits of hiring eQuality associates competitively:

• eQuality staff assist in the original training-in process which reduces the time the employer would normally invest in a new hire.
• Retention rate for eQuality employees is higher due to our independent training process as well as ongoing staff support.
• In many cases, employers qualify for an annual Work Opportunity Tax Credit.  More information about this benefit can be found at http://www.deed.state.mn.us/wotc/.

 

• Enclave Jobs—eQuality Associates who work in an enclave have the benefit of a Job Coach on site at all times.  That Job Coach works with a group of up to eight individuals to complete the assigned job tasks while striving to help each individual Associate work towards their potential and accomplish their goals.  The groups are typically made up Associates with a range of skills and abilities.

• Independent Jobs—eQuality Associates who are able to be more independent can work in the community without a full time Job Coach.  The process to independence involves the following: Assessment of the Associate in all areas including vocational, social, financial, etc…The assessment helps eQuality staff pinpoint areas in which the Associate needs some assistance in order to be successful in their job placement.

 

Curriculum is based on areas that each individual Associate needs to grow in.  eQuality staff works 1:1 with the Associate in order to improve their skills and gain confidence in each area.

eQuality staff works with each individual Associate to help them apply for jobs and interview well.  Mock interviews are set up with managers of local businesses.  The Associate and eQuality staff receives feedback and use this to enhance the Associate’s interview skills.

Once an Associate achieves community employment, eQuality staff works directly with them on their job to establish a routine, create accommodations and to develop and maintain good relationships with supervisors and co-workers.  Associates receive ongoing support from eQuality staff to ensure success.

• Volunteer Jobs—eQuality Associates who would like to gain specific experience and add to their resume often volunteer.  eQuality staff works with the Associate to achieve a volunteer job in much the same way that an independent job is achieved.

 

How does eQuality get paid for services it provides?
eQuality bills Hennepin County or Medical Assistance directly, depending on your funding source. Your Hennepin County Social Worker will authorize the service.

How will I get to and from work?
eQuality utilizes Metro Mobility to transport associates to and from work. Transportation during the program day, for fieldtrips, etc. is provided by agency minivans. eQuality pays for all transportation-related costs.

What if I wish to work part-time?
Many eQuality program associates choose to work part-time. These individuals generally work mornings and participate in recreational/educational activities during afternoons. These activities include work-outs at local community centers, fieldtrips, environmental education at the North Mississippi Interpretive Center, theater/acting, arts and crafts, etc.

What if I would like to work independently in the community?
eQuality Job Coordinators work with individuals to seek independent jobs. They work to develop resumes, improve interviewing skills, complete applications, and develop job-hunting strategies. After an individual succeeds in getting a job, the Job Coordinator assists with orientation, training, and ongoing support.

What is the admission procedure?
If you decide that you would like to attend eQuality you should make your County Social Worker aware of your decision. He or she will send a formal referral to eQuality, which will begin the process. eQuality staff will notify you of your acceptance to the program. Our staff will contact your interdisciplinary team to arrange an intake meeting date, and you will choose a starting date. If you are planning ahead for a June graduation, you should confirm with eQuality staff that a place will be held for you. When your graduation approaches, the intake meeting and starting date will be arranged.  Click here to read our admission policy.

How can I contact eQuality staff?
click here to contact us.

eQuality’s mission is to help individuals with developmental disabilities maximize their potential. eQuality works with each Associate and their team to help them become as successful as is possible for them.

eQuality staff takes the time to get to know each Associate and works with them to identify what independence and growth means for them. It may be working independently from the on-site job coach for one person, while for another it might be achieving competitive employment in the community. Many Associates and their teams focus also on the relationships that they have with others at work and in the community. The Associate and their team develop outcomes based on what is needed to achieve their goal of independence.

eQuality has several programs that Associates participate in as a way for them to grown and achieve the success that they desire:

• Job Club—For those Associates who work independently or for those who desire to, eQuality hosts a “Job Club” several times per month. Associates gather with an eQuality staff and a group of their peers to talk about working in the community, how to handle work challenges and manage relationships on the job. Associates can talk about work frustrations and successes in a supportive environment while getting feedback directly from their peers.

• Self-Advocacy group—eQuality believes that the Associates should drive their own vision of growth and success. Currently eQuality Associates have started a political action group based out of the principles of self-advocacy.

• Mentor Program—eQuality Associates who have achieved some level of success are paired with Associates who would like to grow and achieve more. The Mentors meet in the community with their Mentees twice per month. They do activities together that promote self-advocacy, self-esteem, community integration, self-confidence and stress reduction.

Interested in joining eQuality’s team of dedicated staff members? Apply Here We are currently hiring the following positions:  (Click on title for position description)

Job Coach

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